Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds in biochar and biochar-amended soil: a review

Dutta, Tanushree,Kwon, Eilhann,Bhattacharya, Satya Sundar,Jeon, Byong Hun,Deep, Akash,Uchimiya, Minori,Kim, Ki-Hyun Wiley (Blackwell Publishing) 2017 Global change biology. Bioenergy Vol.9 No.6

<P>Residual pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon (aceous) nanoparticles are inevitably generated during the pyrolysis of waste biomass and remain on the solid coproduct called biochar. Such pollutants could have adverse effects on the plant growth as well as microbial community in soil. Although biochar has been proposed as a 'carbon negative strategy' to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts of its application with respect to long-term persistence and bioavailability of hazardous components are not clear. Moreover, the co-occurrence of low molecular weight VOCs with PAHs in biochar may exert further phytotoxic effects. This review describes the basic need to unravel key mechanisms driving the storage vs. emission of these organics and the dynamics between the sorbent (biochar) and soil microbes. Moreover, there is an urgent need for standardized methods for quantitative analysis of PAHs and VOCs in biochar under environmentally relevant conditions. This review is also extended to cover current research gaps including the influence of biochar application on the short- and long-term fate of PAHs and VOCs and the proper control tactics for biochar quality and associated risk.</P>

Application of drum compost and vermicompost to improve soil health, growth, and yield parameters for tomato and cabbage plants

Goswami, Linee,Nath, Anil,Sutradhar, Sweety,Bhattacharya, Satya Sundar,Kalamdhad, Ajay,Vellingiri, Kowsalya,Kim, Ki-Hyun Elsevier 2017 Journal of environmental management Vol.200 No.-

<P>Utilization of different types of solid wastes through composting is important for environmental sustainability and restoring soil quality. Although drum composting is an efficient technology, the possibility of heavy metal contamination restricts its large-scale use. In this research, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of water hyacinth drum compost (DC) and traditional vermicompost (VC) on soil quality and crop growth in an agro-ecosystem cultivated intensively with tomato and cabbage as test crops. A substantial improvement in soil health was observed with respect to nutrient availability, physical stability, and microbial diversity due to the application of drum compost and traditional vermicompost. Moreover, soil organic carbon was enriched through increased humic and fulvic acid carbon. Interestingly, heavy metal contamination was less significant in vermicompost-treated soils than in those receiving the other treatments. The use of VC and DC in combination with recommended chemical fertilization effectively stimulated crop growth, yield, product quality, and storage longevity for both tomato and cabbage. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</P>

The micro-environmental impact of volatile organic compound emissions from large-scale assemblies of people in a confined space

Dutta, Tanushree,Kim, Ki-Hyun,Uchimiya, Minori,Kumar, Pawan,Das, Subhasish,Bhattacharya, Satya Sundar,Szulejko, Jan Elsevier 2016 Environmental research Vol.151 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Large-scale assemblies of people in a confined space can exert significant impacts on the local air chemistry due to human emissions of volatile organics. Variations of air-quality in such small scale can be studied by quantifying fingerprint volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetone, toluene, and isoprene produced during concerts, movie screenings, and sport events (like the Olympics and the World Cup). This review summarizes the extent of VOC accumulation resulting from a large population in a confined area or in a small open area during sporting and other recreational activities. Apart from VOCs emitted directly from human bodies (e.g., perspiration and exhaled breath), those released indirectly from other related sources (e.g., smoking, waste disposal, discharge of food-waste, and use of personal-care products) are also discussed. Although direct and indirect emissions of VOCs from human may constitute <1% of the global atmospheric VOCs budget, unique spatiotemporal variations in VOCs species within a confined space can have unforeseen impacts on the local atmosphere to lead to acute human exposure to harmful pollutants.</P>

Comparative Analysis of Wind Power Energy Potential at Two Coastal Locations in Bangladesh

Asif Islam,Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman,Mohammad Shariful Islam,Satya Sundar Bhattacharya,김기현 한국대기환경학회 2015 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.9 No.4

In this study, wind conditions and its energy potential have been assessed by conducting a Weibull analysis of the wind speed data (over the period of 2002-2011) measured from a port city (Mongla) and an isolated island (Sandwip) in Bangladesh. The monthly mean wind speed at Mongla ranged from 1.60 m/s (December) to 2.47 m/s (April). The monthly values of Weibull shape parameter (k) were from 1.27 to 2.53. In addition, the values of the scale parameter (c) and the monthly wind power density ranged from 1.76 to 2.79 m/s and 3.95 to 17.45 W/ m2, respectively. The seasonal mean wind speed data varied from 1.72 (fall) to 2.29 m/s (spring) with the wind power density from 5.33 (fall) to 14.26 W/ m2 (spring). In the case of Sandwip, the results were comparable to those of Mongla, but moderate reductions in all the comparable variables were observed. The wind data results of these two areas have been compared with those of eight other locations in the world with respect to wind power generation scale. According to this comparison, the wind power generation scale for Mongla and Sandwip was adequate for stand-alone small/micro-scale applications such as local household consumption, solar-wind hybrid irrigation pumps, and battery charging.

Impact of edaphic factors and nutrient management on the hepatoprotective efficiency of Carlinoside purified from pigeon pea leaves: An evaluation of UGT1A1 activity in hepatitis induced organelles

Das, Subhasish,Teja, K. Charan,Mukherjee, Sandip,Seal, Soma,Sah, Rajesh Kumar,Duary, Buddhadeb,Kim, Ki-Hyun,Bhattacharya, Satya Sundar Elsevier 2018 Environmental research Vol.161 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Carlinoside is a unique compound well-known for its excellent curative potential in hepatitis. There is a substantial research gap regarding the medicinal use of carlinoside, as its concentrations are greatly variable (depending on locality). We cultivated <I>Cajanus cajan</I> using vermicompost as a major organic amendment at two locations (Sonitpur and Birbhum) with different soil types, but identical climate conditions. Sonitpur soils were richer in soil organic C (SOC), enzyme activation, and N/P content than Birbhum. However, vermi-treatment improved many soil properties (bulk density, water retention, pH, N/P/K, and enzyme activity) to narrow the locational gap in soil quality by 15–28%. We also recorded a many-fold increment in SOC storage capacities in both locations, which was significantly correlated with carlinoside, total phenol, and flavonoid contents in <I>Cajanus</I> leaves. This significantly up-regulated the carlinoside induced expression of the bilirubin-solubilizing UGT1A1enzyme in HepG2 cell and rat liver. Leaf extracts of vermicompost-aided plants could cure hepatitis in affected rat livers and in the HepG2 cell line. Accordingly, vermi-treatment is an effective route for the growth of <I>Cajanus</I> as a cash crop for biomedical applications and can produce a concurrent improvement in soil quality.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Soil organic C primarily induces carlinoside biosynthesis in <I>Cajanus cajan</I>. </LI> <LI> Vermicompost elevates the medicinal value of <I>Cajanus cajan</I> against hepatitis. </LI> <LI> Vermi-treated <I>Cajanus</I> yield carlinoside stably irrespective of growing location. </LI> <LI> Vermi-treated leaf extracts expedited bilirubin solubilization in rat liver. </LI> </UL> </P>

Plant extract–mediated green silver nanoparticles: Efficacy as soil conditioner and plant growth promoter

Das, Pallabi,Barua, Shaswat,Sarkar, Shuvasree,Karak, Niranjan,Bhattacharyya, Pradip,Raza, Nadeem,Kim, Ki-Hyun,Bhattacharya, Satya Sundar Elsevier 2018 Journal of hazardous materials Vol.346 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the ultimate fate of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) after their release into the environment. In this study, the environmental feasibility of plant leaf (<I>Thuja occidentalis</I>) extract–mediated green SNPs (GSNPs) was assessed in terms of their effects on soil physicochemical properties and crop growth in comparison to conventionally synthesized silver nanoparticles (CSNPs). Upon application of GSNPs, soil pH shifted toward neutrality, and substantial increments were observed in water holding capacity (WHC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and N/P availability. The mechanism behind the enhanced availability of N was verified through lab-scale experiments in which GSNP-treated soils efficiently resisted nitrate leaching, thereby sustaining N availability in root zone soil layers. However, retardation in nutrient availability and enzyme activity was apparent in soils treated with 100 mg kg<SUP>−1</SUP> of either CSNPs or GSNPs. Remarkable improvements in leaf area index (LAI), leaf number, chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, and <I>Phaseolus vulgaris</I> pod yield were observed after the application of low doses of GSNPs (25–50 mg kg<SUP>−1</SUP>). The true benefit of GSNP application to soil was substantiated through experiments on plant uptake of nutrients, NR expression, and ferredoxin gene expression in <I>P. vulgaris</I> leaves.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The remarkable antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) is well known. </LI> <LI> Extensive industrial use of SNPs has led to their large-scale disposal as waste materials. </LI> <LI> The effects of SNPs on plant metabolism are assessed in terms of NR and Fd expression. </LI> <LI> We provide evidence of an overall beneficial impact of SNPs on soil properties. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Effect of slurry treatment approaches on the reduction of major odorant emissions at a hog barn facility in South Korea

Lee, Min-Hee,Kim, Ki-Hyun,Jeon, Byong-Hun,Jo, Sang-Hee,Kim, Yong-Hyun,Kim, Bo-Won,Cho, Sung-Back,Hwang, Ok-Hwa,Bhattacharya, Satya Sundar Taylor Francis 2017 Environmental Technology Vol.38 No.4